Kaizer Chiefs coach Cavin Johnson speaks about the need for an improved mentality as they focus on the clash against Mamelodi Sundowns. Sundowns will visit Chiefs on Thursday in a DStv Premiership encounter and Johnson is confident his troops have turned the corner.
Amakhosi are in high morale after their 2-1 win over SuperSport United on Saturday night and the mission is to down the reigning league champions at FNB Stadium. Johnson also warned his men that it’s still early days to be happy as they chase a spot to qualify for CAF interclub football.
Related: Relieved Johnson Addresses Dressing Room Fight, Happy For Saile In Chiefs Win
Johnson stated there is no time for Amakhosi to breathe any sighs of relief, with another league game against Masandawana just around the corner. While Sundowns have a match against TS Galaxy on Monday evening before facing Chiefs, the former Platinum Stars mentor wants more and a better showing from his charges.
Chiefs Boss Turns Focus to Sundowns, Demands Better Mentality
The Westbury-born coach, Johnson is happy his men managed to return to the top eight over Gavin Hunt’s Amatsatsantsa A Pitori, a win which was just their second victory of 2024. Chiefs still face a titanic battle to qualify for next season’s MTN8, in what is quite a log jam in the table and there are just six points currently separating Cape Town City in sixth place, and Royal AM in 13th.
Johnson also spoke highly of the youngster, Mduduzi Shabalala who scored their winner as they ended their winless run. “I don’t think anyone should be relieved,” said Johnson, after Shabalala’s second-half winner had lifted the spirits.
“There are still five games left to go. Maybe if it was the other way round, if we had just had five wins, and drawn, we would be upset. But we have just turned a bit of a corner. We must prepare ourselves better for the next game.”
Related: Chiefs vs SuperSport Review: Saile, Shabalala Ease Chiefs’ Woes
Johnson Praises Chiefs’ Troops After Beating Hunt
The seasoned coach also added that he is delighted about their victory over Gavin Hunt’s troops who are yet to win in 2024. Chiefs did not only struggle to get results, but they also had to deal with the tragic murder of central defender Luke Fleurs, who was killed in a hijacking in Johannesburg on April 3.
“Personality-wise, team-wise, yes (I am happy),” added the Chiefs interim coach, Johnson.
“With the mentality of my players, the effort of my players against a team that normally breaks you down mentally, playing a coach (Gavin Hunt) who is astute in how he sets up his team. Playing against them is (playing against) a mixture of technique, mental strength, and physical attributes. We were able to match those things in a lot of moments.”
“The goals I conceded in the last five games were very soft. [Earlier this month] we conceded one goal from a throw-in against Chippa United and in another instance, we conceded because we did not press the ball correctly.”
“We did have eight clean sheets on the trot, so the problem is not about clean sheets, it is about playing good football and winning the matches like we won the match against SuperSport,” Johnson said.
“We’d like to make sure that we paint the picture to the players, because they are all professional players, and they know what is needed from them in the next five games.”
Related: Rulani Having Sleepless Nights On Losing His Sundowns Job